Just because you can imagine a (causal) line between any two points (or any two events) it doesn’t necessarily mean that a line (of connection between these two points) actually exists. First mind creates dots/data-points (that aren’t there) and then mind connects these dots/data-points into a line that wasn’t there. And the imaginable – suddenly – becomes real!

Image: illustration by Harry Clarke for E. A. Poe’s Descent into the Maelstrom

Pavel Somov, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice and the author of 7 mindfulness-based self-help books. Several of his books have been translated into Chinese, Dutch & Portuguese. Somov is on the Advisory Board for the Mindfulness Project (London, UK). Somov's book website is www.pavelsomov.com and his practice website is www.drsomov.com

Marla Somova, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice and an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA. She is the co-author of "Smoke Free Smoke Break" (2011).